This film could have been the blockbuster event of the summer of 2016 without any problems-it turned out very differently. Independence Day 2: Return was inflated with a huge budget, but what all that? We explain the history of the flop in detail.
Action: What happens in Independence Day 2?
That’s what it’s about: 20 years after the alien attack in Independence Day, the world is no longer the same. This is not least due to the fact that humanity has acquired extraterrestrial technology in order to rebuild its homeland and to prepare for a possible further attack. A good idea, because the defeated aliens have sent a signal into space to request support from their galactic allies.
Here you can watch the trailer for Independence Day 2:
Many new stars and returnees: Now the next generation is confronted with an alien threat: Dylan (Jessie Usher) suddenly has to compete with his stepfather Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith). The daughter (Maika Monroe) of former President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) tries to build a relationship with one of the fighting pilots (Liam Hemsworth). Scientist David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) also offers the experiences that he gained in the last wave of invasion.
Independence Day 2 was an extremely costly sci-fi pleasure
The budget: Independence Day 2 was one of the most expensive films in 2016. According to Box Office Mojo, the production budget alone was $ 165 million. The profit threshold, i.e. the point from which a film makes a profit, was $ 412.5 million. Rule of thumb for large production: production budget x 2.5 = profit threshold.
Independence Day 2 was not just a financial flop, but a disappointment at all levels
The result: The blockbuster only played $ 389 million worldwide. That was not even half of the predecessor, who recorded a huge $ 817 million in 1996, only $ 75 million budget.
What was it? With Roland Emmerich, the success director of the first part returned. Two of the most important actors were also there again, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullmann. However, one was missing: Will Smith, the heart of the first part and the greatest star of the franchise. The simple reason for his absence: “I had two scripts in front of me, from Independence Day 2 and from Suicide Squad”so Smith. It was “The decision between trying to go forward and the brackets to the past.” Will Smith chose Suicide Squad, who started in the same year and was taken up by fans.
The reviews: However, Suicide Squad did not arrive as negative as Independence Day 2. At Moviepilot, the blockbuster comes to 5.1 out of 10 points. Part 1 is rated with a 7. With Rotten Tomatoes, the film received only 30 percent approval from the audience – brutal 45 percent less than part 1.
Is Independence Day 3 still coming?
Originally two new films from the franchise were to appear. Independence Day 3 was always in conversation. However, the crash landing of the first sequel distributed all hopes. It would only be possible to complete the trilogy with a lot of distance to the flop – and then only with Will Smith. That should be the apprenticeship from this unsuccessful attempt.
Sci-fi-Kracher: When does Independence Day 3 run on TV?
Independence Day 2: Return runs Tonight on March 9, 2025 at 8:15 p.m. on Sat.1. With advertising, the broadcast goes until 10:40 p.m. The repetition follows at 1:00 a.m. Alternatively, you can stream the film at Disney+.